Antioxidants

An antioxidant is a molecule capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals, which start chain reactions that damage cells. Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions by removing free radical intermediates, and inhibit other oxidation reactions by being oxidized themselves. As a result, antioxidants are often reducing agents such as thiols or polyphenols.

Free Radicals

In chemistry, radicals (often referred to as free radicals) are atoms, molecules or ions with unpaired electrons on an otherwise open shell configuration. These unpaired electrons are usually highly reactive, so radicals are likely to take part in chemical reactions. Radicals play an important role in combustion, atmospheric chemistry, polymerization, plasma chemistry, biochemistry, and many other chemical processes, including human physiology. For example, superoxide and nitric oxide regulate many biological processes, such as controlling vascular tone. "Radical" and "free radical" are frequently used interchangeably.

French Paradox

The French Paradox is the observed phenomenon of the increased longevity and health of people in France, despite a very rich, high-fat diet.

Nutraceutical

Nutraceuticals are nutritional supplements which have been shown to have pharmaceutical properties. Nutraceuticals are not approved by the food and drug administration. However, the FDA carefully monitors the safety of these products, and the manufacturing facilities can be FDA registered. No disease prevention or cure claims can be made by the suppliers of nutraceuticals.

Phytoalexins

Phytoalexins are antibiotics produced by plants that are under attack. Phytoalexins tend to fall into several classes including terpenoids, glycosteroids and alkaloids; however, researchers often find it convenient to extend the definition to include all phytochemicals that are part of the plant's defensive arsenal. Resveratrol is also one of 300 identified Salvestrols. Salvestrols are invited into each cell of body. Abnormal cells, including malignant cells contain an enzyme system called CYP1B1. When this enzyme combines with a salvestrol a toxin is produced. This toxin kills the abnormal or malignant cell.

Polyphenols

Polyphenols are a group of chemical substances found in plants, characterized by the presence of more than one phenol unit or building block per molecule. Polyphenols are generally divided into hydrolyzable tannins (gallic acid esters of glucose and other sugars) and phenylpropanoids, such as lignins, flavonoids, and condensed tannins.

Quercetin

Quercetin is a plant-derived flavonoid, specifically a flavonol, used as a nutritional supplement.

The American Cancer Society says that quercetin "has been promoted as being effective against a wide variety of diseases, including cancer."

High dietary intake of fruits and vegetables is associated with reduction in cancer, and scientists suspect quercetin may be partly responsible. Research shows that quercetin influences cellular mechanisms in vitro and in animal studies, and there is limited evidence from human population studies that quercetin may reduce the risk of lung cancer.

Quercetin is found in many fruits and vegetables, including apples, tea, onions, nuts, berries, cauliflower and cabbage. The most concentrated source are the flowers of the Japanase Pagoda tree (sophora japonica).

Resveratrol

Resveratrol (trans-resveratrol) is a phytoalexin produced naturally by several plants when under attack by pathogens such as bacteria or fungi. It is found in high concentrations in the Japanese Knotweed plant and in red wine grapes. Resveratrol has also been produced by chemical synthesis. In mouse and rat experiments, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, blood-sugar-lowering and other beneficial cardiovascular effects of resveratrol have been reported.

Sirtuin or SIRT Genes

Silent Information Regulator 2 (Sir2) proteins, or sirtuins, are a class of proteins which are found in organisms ranging from bacteria to humans. Named after the yeast silent mating type information regulation two, the gene responsible for cellular regulation in yeast, sirtuins regulate important biological pathways.

Sirtuins have been implicated in influencing aging and regulating RNA synthesis, cell death, and stress resistance.

In humans, sirtuins are produced in the cells by the SIRT genes.

Xeno Factors

Xeno- is a prefix based on the Greek word "Xenos", meaning stranger. In biology, it is often used to designate species-difference. Xeno Factors refers the phenomenon of cross-species benefit from polyphenols such as resveratrol. See Xenohormesis.

Xenohormesis

Xenohormesis explains how certain molecules such as plant polyphenols, which indicate stress in the plants, can have a longevity-conferring effect in consumers of plant (i.e. mammals). It was explored in a paper "Are we eating more than we think?" by Dr. AJ Yun, Dr. P Lee and Dr. JD Doux., and in depth in "The Longevity Factor"